Saturday, January 23, 2016

sock ramblings

I finished the socks I cast on Christmas Eve.  I finished knitting last night and wove in ends this morning!  So excited to finish these :)  I have been knitting on breaks at work and at night watching tv or podcasts.  I feel like, for me, these went pretty quickly.

One big thing I learned about myself while knitting these socks is this: I love double pointed needles!  I used US 1.5 sized hiya hiya sharps and I loved it.  Last year I had gotten a notion that I should try two at a time socks on one needle.  I did start two pairs that way.  One the cable wasn't really long enough maybe?  I don't know it just felt awkward.  That's why I cast on the second pair because I bought a longer cable and smaller size and those did go quicker.

But!  I found myself avoiding them.  Like an inward groan everytime I'd think I could work on my socks.  So, with my Christmas socks, it was totally different.  No groaning, no avoidance, I looked forward to knitting them.  The needles are so light and just go so quick!  So since the needles were freed up from the Christmas socks I transferred these languishing socks, and it's like a new project.
 I've been thinking that I might want to join the sock yarn blanket craze.  Maybe. I have bits left over from all the socks I've made so far.  There are a couple more in the bowl that you can't see.  Under the neon on the left.  So, really I have enough for 14 squares without breaking into unused skeins.  That's a good start and I think the point is that it's a long term project.  What's stopping me is that I don't like garter stitch.  Most of the patterns I've seen are garter stitch mitered squares, which I think makes for a little thicker square than maybe stockinette would be?  So I'm still just considering it.
I'll leave you with this silly sweet puppy here.  Rocky sometimes likes to snuggle his bear on the couch, and I got a good picture of it the other night.  He is so sweet and lovey.


Monday, January 11, 2016

visitation tangent

I had a dream with my husband Scott this morning.  It was so vivid, so entirely real.  We were somewhere and I had cut my hand and needed just a little band aid.  And he was holding my hand and when I looked down he had put this GIANT turquoise band aid on that completely covered my hand, and then dabbed the little one on top.  And we were cracking up, just giggling and being silly....then my alarm went off! And I was jarred back to reality.  So confusing.

I love having dreams with him in them.  But, because my dreams have always been so real, they are oftentimes confusing when I wake up.  I am simultaneously comforted by his apparent presence and then shaken up by reality.

There are some people that believe that these are visitations.  That Scott's spirit really does visit me in my dreams.  I can discern a difference between the ones that feel like he's really with me and the ones where I'm searching for him or he's just a representation of an issue.  But I don't know if I believe his spirit is here.  I mostly believe he's in heaven and has no contact with earthly issues.  I think watching loved ones suffer, the sadness, frustrations of life, pain - watching all that and being helpless to comfort or intervene might be a sort of hell.  Also, being around loved ones and not being able to laugh, love, interact with them would not be fun.

Anyway!  Tangent.  If spirits do roam around and their way to make contact is dream form then that was totally Scott.  He was a comforter.  He was the funniest person I've ever known.  He always knew how to ease my moods, make me laugh, calm me down.  I needed that today for sure.  Of course, then the rest of the day feels a bit off kilter - wishing I could stay in my dream next to him.  Reality of life, going to work, making real life decisions that are stressful and cause fear.

Oh man, fear.  Not my favorite thing.  I'm full of fear lately.  Well, I alternate between fear and hope, excitement and trepidation.  But!  It will all work out, God willing it always does.

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

morning glimpse

I have finished the heel on sock #1, so close to finishing! This is one of the things I like to do in the morning, coffee or tea, knitting and a podcast.  I hope you have a great day!

Saturday, January 2, 2016

2016

2016.  Back in the day, when I was younger any year above 2000 seemed like too far off to imagine.  I thought for sure by 2025 people would be driving hovering cars.  And now, life just feels like normal still, no space age living, no hovering cars.  And that's just fine by me.

Of course I've been doing some reflecting, as I think most people do.  What happened in the previous year, what I'd wish was different, the good things, finished projects.  Then thinking about the new year, new possibilities, new projects, new opportunities.

I have a big thing in the works. As soon as things are for reals, I'll share it here.  I'm just cautious in case things don't work out.  But!  I do know that God is guiding this and I feel really calm (mostly) about it, and it's a blessing.

Project-wise I am feeling like I want to finish things I've started before starting anything new.  It's hard not to start something fresh and new for the new year!!!  But!  I have a lot of projects that are close to finishing that I need to buckle down on.  First up are the socks I cast on for Christmas eve for the Little Bobbins Knits Christmas eve cast on.  I am loving this yarn!  Every stripe is such fun and pretty!
 I am very close to the end of my Duchess of Devonshire shawl.  So close.  I'm on the last little bit of edging then it can be blocked.
 I started the last row of frames for the Storytime Sampler cross stitch.  I have 4 frames and the title and it will be finished.
 I took these pictures Thursday morning I believe?  It is SO COLD here.  Last night I heard it was in the negatives.  I am so thankful for my warm house and heater that works!!!  It's hard to see but the sun was not quite risen fully and the trees were all frosted white.  And there are huge icicles everywhere right now.


This is the temp in my car from that morning: 4 degrees.  4!  Needless to say I have been a homebody, staying in and keeping warm, stitching various things.  I am looking forward to good things for 2016, and I wish you all the best as well.